Lying in Islam

By Abdullah Al Araby

Like most religions, Islam in general, forbids lying. The Quran says, "Truly
Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies." Surah 40:28. In the Hadith,
Mohammed was also quoted as saying, "Be honest because honesty leads to goodness,
and goodness leads to Paradise. Beware of falsehood because it leads to immorality,
and immorality leads to Hell."

However, unlike most religions, within Islam there are certain provisions
under which lying is not simply tolerated, but actually encouraged. The book
"The spirit of Islam," by the Muslim scholar, Afif A. Tabbarah was written to
promote Islam. On page 247, Tabbarah stated: "Lying is not always bad, to be
sure; there are times when telling a lie is more profitable and better for the
general welfare, and for the settlement of conciliation among people, than telling
the truth. To this effect, the Prophet says: 'He is not a false person who (through
lies) settles conciliation among people, supports good or says what is good."

In exploring this puzzling duplicity within Islam, we will examine first some
examples from recent and ancient Islamic history. These examples demonstrate
that lying is a common policy amongst Islamic clerics and statesmen.

In June of 1967 Egypt was defeated by Israel and lost the Sinai Peninsula
during the "Six Day War." Subsequently, Egypt's primary focus became to regain
the lost territory. President Nasser, and then, President Sadat, adopted the
motto: "No voice should rise over the voice of The Battle." The
soldiers that had been drafted in 1967 were kept in service and remained on
high alert in the expectation that at any day "the battle" would ensue. Nonetheless,
years pasted and Egypt's people became disgruntle with the political hype and
the "no peace, and no war" status. In 1972 Sadat proclaimed with finality that
it was to be the year for the long anticipated battle. Throughout the year he
swore, "I swear to you by my honor that this year will not pass by, before
we launch The Battle." People believed him because he was staking his
reputation and honor through an oath. To everyone's amazement the year passed
without a single shot being fired. As a result many, inside and outside Egypt,
began to dismiss him as a "hot air bluff". This opinion was confirmed in the
following year of 1973. He made no further mention of his oath about the battle.
Many of the draftees were released and numerous officers were given vacation
furloughs. Then without warning, in October of 1973, he launched the attack
and what was known as the Yom Kippur war began.

As a military commander, Sadat was expected to use the element of surprise
to trick the enemy. As a devout Muslim, Sadat was not the least bit concerned
about his un-kept oath. He understood that the history and teachings of Islam
would exempt him from spiritual accountability if he used lies as a foundation
for a strategic military maneuver.

This point is proven by many incidences in the life of Mohammed. He often
lied and instructed his followers to do the same. He rationalized that the prospect
of success in missions to extend Islam's influence overrode Allah's initial
prohibitions against lying. A good example of sanctioned lying is the account
of the assassination of Kaab Ibn al-Ashrf, a member of the Jewish tribe, Banu
al-Nudair. It had been reported that Kaab had shown support for the Quraishites
in their battle against Mohammed. This was compounded by another report that
infuriated Mohammed. It was alleged that Kaab had recited amorous poetry to
Muslim women. Mohammed asked for volunteers to rid him of Kaab Ibn al-Ashraf.
As Mohammed put it, Kaab had "Harmed Allah and His Apostle." At that time Kaab
Ibn al-Ashraf, and his tribe were strong, so it was not easy for a stranger
to infiltrate and execute the task. A Muslim man by the name of Ibn Muslima,
volunteered for the murderous project on the condition that Mohammed would allow
him to lie. With Mohammed's consent, Ibn Muslima, went to Kaab and told him
fabricated stories that reflected discontent about Mohammed's leadership. When
he had gained Kaab's trust he lured him away from his house one night and murdered
him in a remote area under the cover of darkness.

A similar example can be found in the story of killing Shaaban Ibn Khalid
al-Hazly. It was rumored that Shaaban was gathering an army to wage war on Mohammed.
Mohammed retaliated by ordering Abdullah Ibn Anis to kill Shaaban. Again, the
would-be killer asked the prophet's permission to lie. Mohammed agreed and then
ordered the killer to lie by stating that he was a member of the Khazaa clan.
When Shaaban saw Abdullah coming, he asked him, "From what tribe are you?" Abdullah
answered, "From Khazaa." He then added, "I have heard that you are gathering
an army to fight Mohammed and I came to join you." Abdullah started walking
with Shaaban telling him how Mohammed came to them with the heretical teachings
of Islam, and complained how Mohammed badmouthed the Arab patriarchs and ruined
the Arab's hopes. They continued in conversation until they arrived at Shaaban's
tent. Shaaban's companions departed and Shaaban invited Abdullah to come inside
and rest. Abdullah sat there until the atmosphere was quiet and he sensed that
everyone was asleep. Abdullah severed Shaaban's head and carried it to Mohammed
as a trophy. When Mohammed sighted Abdullah, he jubilantly shouted, "Your face
has been triumphant (Aflaha al- wajho)." Abdullah returned the greeting by saying,
"It is your face, Apostle of Allah, who has been triumphant. (Aflaha wajhoka,
ye rasoul Allah)."

Provisions for lying in Islam

Most Muslims are familiar with the principles of Islam that will justify lying
in situations where they sense the need to do so. Among these are:

War is deception.

The necessities justify the forbidden.

If faced by two evils, choose the lesser of the two.

These principles are derived from passages found in the Quran and the Hadith.

In the Quran, Allah, allegedly, says:

" Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths,
but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed
ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families;
or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast
for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep
to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful."
Surah 5:89

"Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness (vain) in your
oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most
Forbearing." Surah 2:225

"Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief, except
under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their
breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful
Penalty." Surah 16: 106

The noted Islamic commentator, Al-Tabary explained Surah 16:106 as a verse
that had been revealed to Mohammed after he learned that Ammar Ibn Yasser was
forced to deny his faith in Mohammed when kidnapped by the Banu Moghera tribe.
Mohammed consoled Ammar by telling him, "If they turned, you turn." (Meaning:
if they again capture you, you are allowed to deny me again.)

These and similar passages from the Quran clearly reveal that Muslims'
unintentional lies are forgivable and that even their intentional lies can be
absolved by performing extra duties. It is also clear that if forced to do so,
Muslims can lie while under oath and can even falsely deny faith in Allah, as
long as they maintain the profession of faith in their hearts.

In the Hadith, Mohammed, emphasizes the same concept.

From "Ehiaa Oloum al-Din," by the famous Islamic scholar al-Ghazali, Vol.
3: PP.284-287:

One of Mohammed's daughters, Umm Kalthoum, testified that she had never heard
the Apostle of Allah condone lying, except in these three situations:

For reconciliation among people.

In war.

Amongst spouses, to keep peace in the family.

One passage from the Hadith quotes Mohammed as saying: "The sons of Adam are
accountable for all lies except those uttered to help bring reconciliation between
Muslims."

Another says, "Aba Kahl, reconcile among people."(Meaning: even through lying.)

The following quote demonstrates the broadness of situations in which the
prophet permitted lying. "The sons of Adam are accountable for all lies with
these exceptions: During war because war is deception, to reconcile among two
quarreling men, and for a man to appease his wife."

The principle of Al-Takeyya

The Arabic word, "Takeyya", means "to prevent," or guard against. The principle
of Al Takeyya conveys the understanding that Muslims are permitted to lie as
a preventive measure against anticipated harm to one's self or fellow Muslims.
This principle gives Muslims the liberty to lie under circumstances that they
perceive as life threatening. They can even deny the faith, if they do not mean
it in their hearts. Al-Takeyya is based on the following Quranic verse:

"Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than
believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except
by way of precaution (prevention), that ye may Guard yourselves from them (prevent
them from harming you.) But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for
the final goal is to Allah." Surah 3: 28

According to this verse a Muslim can pretend to befriend infidels (in violation
of the teachings of Islam) and display adherence with their unbelief to prevent
them from harming him.

Under the concept of Takeyya and short of killing another human being, if
under the threat of force, it is legitimate for Muslims to act contrary to their
faith. The following actions are acceptable:

Drink wine, abandon prayers, and skip fasting during Ramadan.

Renounce belief in Allah.

Kneel in homage to a deity other than Allah.

Utter insincere oaths.

The implications of the principle of Al-Takeyya

Unfortunately, when dealing with Muslims, one must keep in mind that Muslims
can communicate something with apparent sincerity, when in reality they may
have just the opposite agenda in their hearts. Bluntly stated, Islam permits
Muslims to lie anytime that they perceive that their own well-being, or that
of Islam, is threatened.

In the sphere of international politics, the question is: Can Muslim countries
be trusted to keep their end of the agreements that they sign with non-Muslim
nations? It is a known Islamic practice, that when Muslims are weak they can
agree with most anything. Once they become strong, then they negate what they
formerly vowed.

The principle of sanctioning lying for the cause of Islam bears grave implications
in matters relating to the spread of the religion of Islam in the West. Muslim
activists employ deceptive tactics in their attempts to polish Islam's image
and make it more attractive to prospective converts. They carefully try to avoid,
obscure, and omit mentioning any of the negative Islamic texts and teachings.

An example of Islamic deception is that Muslim activists always quote the
passages of the Quran from the early part of Mohammed's ministry while living
in Mecca. These texts are peaceful and exemplify tolerance towards those that
are not followers of Islam. All the while, they are fully aware that most of
these passages were abrogated (cancelled and replaced) by passages that came
after he migrated to Medina. The replacement verses reflect prejudice, intolerance,
and endorse violence upon unbelievers

In conclusion, it is imperative to understand, that Muslim leaders can
use this loop-hole in their religion, to absolve them from any permanent commitment.
It is also important to know that what Muslim activists say to spread Islam
may not always be the whole truth. When dealing with Muslims, what they say
is not the issue. The real issue is, what they actually mean in their
hearts.